Port security officer attacks union member

Port security of attacks union member

A member of Jakarta International Container Terminal Trade Union (SPJICT) was said to have been assaulted by Hutchison Port Security in Jakarta on August 20.

According to the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), the worker was assaulted in a port security post by security guards.

He was later taken to hospital where he was treated for bruising and a number of injuries.

ITF said it continues to monitor the situation.

The reported attack follows what ITF described as “unprecedented levels of intimidation and threats against trade-unionists in the Port of Jakarta, including the use of firearms aimed at members’ cars.”

“Hutchison needs to start respecting its workforce and engage constructively with trade unions in all their terminals, including SPJICT in Jakarta – an important ITF affiliate. Moreover, it needs to deal swiftly with this ugly incident which has no place in the 21st Century,” Enrico Tortolano, member of the ITF dockers section, commented.

SPJICT secretary-general Mokhammad Firmansyah has condemned the assault and called for a thorough investigation into the incident.